From there Jesus set out for the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house there where he didn’t think he would be found, but he couldn’t escape notice. He was barely inside when a woman who had a disturbed daughter heard where he was. She came and knelt at his feet, begging for help. The woman was Greek, Syro-Phoenician by birth. She asked him to cure her daughter.
He said, “Stand in line and take your turn. The children get fed first. If there’s any left over, the dogs get it.”
She said, “Of course, Master. But don’t dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?”
Jesus was impressed. “You’re right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone.” She went home and found her daughter relaxed on the bed, the torment gone for good.
Why did Jesus say this to the woman – any ideas? it seems a bit mean…?
The struck me was that Jesus was willing to listen and take on board the gentle challenge from the woman.
He didn\’t show any pride by sticking with His original position – a real lesson for me at times.
well either Jesus was being racist (dogs was a jewish slur on the people of that area) and fickle or he was up to something… did we discuss this passage when we did matthew?.. I’m away and typing on my phone so my thumbs are too tired to go check or to give you the answer lucy;-)
Ha ha i think it’s likely he was upto something. i guess he might have known what she’d say next.
he likes it when she smartly answers back doesn’t he? it reminds me of that thing about being as wise as a serpent but gentle as a dove.
A series of bible reading notes had this in a few months back, which made me see this passage in a whole new way: it said that the word used by Jesus referred to dogs kept as pets, and to imagine them talking about a family’s pet dog who will sit by the table hoping that someone will drop them treats.
Re-read the passage with that in mind and you see it in a completely differnt light